Just to kick things off, here's that Live-Action Simpsons intro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=49IDp76kjPw

There's an article on Yahoo about how that's one of the most popular video downloads.

That video is amazing! Other than having Maggie pop out of the shopping bag (which would be rather hard to get a real infant to do) it's spot on. Especially the guy they have playing Lisa's music teacher.

Simpsons (as well as King Of The Hill) Renewed

I remember reading that this was KotH's final season. Damn it! I like KotH, I've always liked KotH but I am so bored with that show. Even the writers seem like they're going in motions. A lot of the charm and the creativity it originally had was gone. I really wanted that show to end this season so I could have something to cross off my list of shows I watch. Yes I have that list.

Simpsons, I know it's hit or miss, and certain episodes are boring but it's been part of my life since, Jesus, I was 6 (and even before that, I used to stay up to watch the Ullman shorts) and it has more rewatchability than KotH. Sometimes I wish Simpsons would go off the air, (again, the list), but I really would miss it. It's like a security blanket.

Apparently, a short trailer for the Simpsons movie is airing before Ice Age 2.

Aint It Cool News has the info. They think it may be an April Fools Joke though but they have been getting lots of reports about it. And there is supposed to be a special Simpsons announcement this week.

ETA:

MSNBC confirms.

Went to see Ice Age 2 last night, and yes, indeed, there WAS a trailer for the (ta daaaaa!) SIMPSONS MOVIE!

The trailer starts with the camera bouncing around the edges of the gigantic Superman "S" logo, and the narrator intoning: "On July 27, 2007, one of the greatest heroes of all time is about to hit the movie screens!"

Cut to: Homer, sitting on the couch in his underpants, wearing a cut-off Superman t-shirt and holding a beer. Homer: "Uh, I forgot what I was supposed to say...."

Narrator: "The Simpsons Movie! Coming July 27, 2007!

Homer (v.o.): "Oooh. We'd better get working on that, then."

You know, I hadn't quite realized how much of a geek I am until I literally jumped out of my chair when I read that news about the trailer.

Online! I need it online! I cannot bring myself to pay for Ice Age 2 to see a thirty second teaser (as opposed to paying for The Waterboy to see a two-minute trailer for Star Wars). Stupid Fox, trying to inflate their opening weekend.

Ain't It Cool News also had a recent story about Harry Shearer appearing on some radio talk show, in which Harry confirmed they're currently recording the voice tracks for the Simpsons movie.

I can't help feeling excited over all this. I hope the movie isn't a disappointment.

I'm guessing we'll see the trailer this Sunday, since Fox has been hyping a big announcement all week for the show.

I have the feeling it's going to be better than ten Super Bowls! But I don't want to oversell it.

I just hope it is as good as the Itchy and Scratchy movie...

An article from USA Today about the new movie.. Not spoilery, but does have some casting info in there.

Article based on the carriage museum in last night's episode (yes it does exist.)

The carriage museum link didn't work for me, but this might be the same article.

Knowing that the trailer was out I scrambled to YouTube to see if it was there. And it did not disappoint: Simpsons Movie Trailer.

Funkmistress originally posted this link to an A/V club interview with Matt Groening over in the Futurama thread. There's news about new Futurama stuff, and three pages of interview that talks a lot about The Simpsons, of course. Good article from The Onion.

I was reading another forum and found out that The Simpsons' official Fox site was nominated for a Webby award, which I've been told by my tech geek friends is a pretty big deal.

Here's the link:
http://peoplesvoice.webbyawards.com/

From TVgasm's overview of FOX's fall schedule:

All I have this say about this is: Egghead loves his booky book!

So Miss Puerto Rico is crowned Miss Universe, and the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw her name was, "Mendozaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!"

Lots of guest stars for season #18 AND....episode 400 happens in May (some spoilers ahead):

Springfield Goes Hollywood

It seems that both Betty White and Joe Montegna are returning, and that Kiefer Sutherland is guesting too. Is this the first time that both a father and son celebrity have guest-starred at some point in the series? (with Donald appearing in "Lisa The Iconoclast" in season 7)

Eric Idle and Jon Lovitz are coming back as well. I wonder if Lovitz will be playing someone new, or if one of his old characters will be popping up for a visit? I wouldn't mind seeing the return of Llywellyn Sinclair.

Simpsons movie stuff! Simpsons movie stuff!

On Ain't It Cool News, they have linked stuff from You Tube: video recorded at Comic Con. The animated storyboards from the movie.

Can't wait.

The Simpsons beat out the much hyped (but not really that funny IMO, besides R Kelly) 'Trapped in the Closet' South Park episode for the Emmy this year. Hooray and Boo-urns!

And Happy Birthday to Deng Xiaoping, born on this day in 1904. (Died 1997.)

So in the Fall TV Preview of EW for the Simpsons, they say Sir Mix-a-lot is going to be a guest this year. Really? Can they run the Baby Got Back joke any more into the ground?

Looks like the Meat Council is at it again.

For you degenerate gamblers, here's someone to help you out.

ETA:
Well, Moe went 9-5-2. Krusty's up this week, but since he once picked the Washington Generals, I don't know how much faith you should put in his picks.

This article from the New York Times Book Review on The United States Of Arugula: How We Became A Gourmet Nation features this awesome Simpsons reference:
It goes on to draw another analogy involving Lisa, but that was less hilariously quotable.

So I haven't had a chance to look this over too much yet, but this Philly blog, Blinq, had a link to a detailed map of Springfield that looked pretty interesting.

Simpsons Pitch Tent in Anti-War Camp (contains spoilers).

okay this pretty much cements me as the geekiest geek that ever geeked,

but Alan Moore to guest voice on the Simpsons

Woo hoo

There was a segment on 60 Minutes last Sunday on Sam Simon. He seems to be quite an odd duck, but he sure has built a gorgeous dog rescue facility out of his Simpsons residuals.

Here's a cute list of non-Simpson characters, and why they are cool. One of the best things about being a big fan of this show is that I know for a fact I could have written this, and that it would also include fifty, sixty, maybe even a hundred more characters.

Well, the Bumblebee Man's pissed:
Mexican voice actors threaten boycott.

So is anyone in New Jersey going to this?

News that makes me happy:

David Hyde Pierce did confirm that he did a guest spot as Sideshow Cecil along with Kelsey Grammar.

Not really sure where to put this, but I think this might be the best place since it's an external issue. I was just wondering if anybody else's local affiliate showed the episode in which Homer buys a gun on Monday night.

Nice.

Saw this article about the 20th anniversary in the news Thursday and was surprised not to find it here.

And the new issue of Entertainment Weekly has the Summer Movie Preview. There is an interview with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks.

And I found this this morning from Newsweek.

I didn't see anyone mention this but last night on American Idol* there was specially-made Simpsons footage for last night's show. And here it is.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=T5B94LX9nwQ

* Note: I did not watch American Idol. I do not watch American Idol. I was just bored and checking out the zap2it.com post-show reviews for some God known reason.

Not sure where to ask this but thought I could follow the AI link post....

During the segment taped for American Idol where Simon is the contestant being "judged", I noticed the number he was wearing: 72707
Is there any "Simpsons" significance to July 27, 2007?

Knowing Matt Groehning's sense of humor, I figured there was something to those chosen numbers. Thanks!

ETA: Mmm... Free Goo answered on the AI boards. It's the release date for The Simpsons movie. Brilliant!

Heehee thats funny. I also do not watch American Idol but if memory serves me correct the contestants were treated to a sneak preview of the Simpsons Movie a couple of months ago. I think it was during Hollywood Week ... but thats just a guess because like I said I don't watch American Idol *cough*

I thought the choice of having Marge act like Randy Jackson with the hand signs and saying "Dawg" and Lisa acting loopy like Paula Abdul was brilliant.

R.I.P ~ The Capitol City Goofball :(

I just read on the CBS website that Tom Poston died. He did the voice of the Capital City Goofball in 'Dancin Homer'.

"What exactly do you have planned for us?"
"Well, I get up and dance, and I spell out the name of the city, all to the tune of `Baby Elephant Walk'."
"Ah, Mancini. The mascot's best friend"

Homer was on Letterman the other night gave his own Top Ten List. I believe the video is also on the CBS site.

Vanity Fair has a great article called "Simpsons Family Values" as well as a best ten episodes list (including a newer episode "President Wore Pearls") and an interview with Conan about what his time with the show was like.

Since stage is also a medium...For any of you who will be in Hollywood this Sunday, July 8, Brent Forrester, who wrote "Homerpalooza," "Lemon of Troy," and "Homer vs. Patty and Selma," will be performing in "Big News," , the show I do every week at IO West . The address is 6366 Hollywood Boulevard; it's between Cahuenga and Vine. The show starts at 10, and tickets are just $5. Plus there's a bar to hang out before and after. So come by - how often do you get a chance to see a writer from one of the most legendary shows on TV perform in such an intimate setting? (The other stuff in the show will be pretty funny too.)

Springfield, VT won the contest and was named the 'Simpsons' official home, and will get to host the premier of the movie.

Drat, I'm originally from Springfield, MA and was hoping it'd win!